Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
Expansion of Covenant Legal Duty requires co-design and adequate resourcing.
Conclusion
The Government is right to recognise that the existing Covenant Duty does not reach into many areas of life in which the service community faces disadvantage, and to consider expanding the scope of the Covenant Legal Duty. As noted in the previous chapter, extending the Legal Duty will only achieve meaningful results if it is also deliverable. The extension of the Duty must therefore be co-designed with those who will be bound by it and expected to deliver it, and they must be appropriately resourced to enable them to do so. Otherwise there is a risk that existing commitments will be diluted and that those who deliver the Covenant will only be able to provide the bare minimum of support. Such an outcome would let down the forces community. (Conclusion, Paragraph 30)
Government Response Summary
The MOD acknowledges the need for co-design and appropriate resourcing, detailing an extensive engagement programme and co-developing a new burdens assessment with MHCLG and LGA, alongside providing training materials and resources.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The MOD acknowledges the conclusion at Paragraph 30 and the recommendation at Paragraph 31. We are actively seeking opportunities to enhance support for Armed Forces communities in alignment with HMGs manifesto commitment. We value the participation of Local Authorities and other signatories who are tasked with implementing the Covenant principles. Officials were directed to take a “maximalist” approach to policy areas in scope for the Covenant Duty extension. MOD officials undertook an extensive research and engagement programme exercise to identify areas where the Armed Forces community may experience disadvantage. This included hosting roundtable discussions and other workshops with more than 150 organisations. Following extensive consultation and from anecdotal evidence provided through a dedicated Covenant mailbox (where people can raise any concerns and questions), it is likely that there are several areas where disadvantages arising from Service, could be improved through the inclusion in the Duty extension. We anticipate that plans for the duty extension will raise awareness of the Covenant and drive further, positive outcomes for the Armed Forces community. We acknowledge that the expansion of the Covenant Legal Duty will place an additional strain on Government Departments and Local Authorities. constraints are considered. To mitigate any additional burden on Local Authorities, the MOD is co-developing a new burdens assessment, alongside Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Local Government Associations. Again, the MOD will be providing training materials, webinar sessions and downloadable resources to support organisations in their delivery of the Covenant Duty. These will help these bodies comply with their legal obligations.